Big changes are taking off at O'Hare International Airport, where British Airways is saying cheerio to Terminal 5 for departures and hello to Terminal 3. Starting April 25, passengers flying with the UK's flagship carrier to destinations across the pond will begin their journey from the revamped digs of Terminal 3, a switch aimed at boosting convenience for these globetrotters.

British Airways won't be flying solo in this move. They'll be joining forces with oneworld® alliance partner, American Airlines, primarily hunkering down at gate K19. The Chicago Department of Aviation, is all on board with this transition, expressing hope that it'll smooth out not just the airline's operations, but also passengers' pre-flight experience. Jamie L. Rhee, commissioner of the CDA, made a point of bigging up the strategic shift, “This move brings together the CDA’s vision of a new and improved Terminal 3 with British Airways improving, and expanding resources for airline staff and Chicagoans traveling to the United Kingdom and beyond,” as reported by the City of Chicago's official website.

While the airline's arrivals will still touch down in Terminal 5, flyers shouldn't fret about losing their way; new signage will steer them smoothly to their new departure point. British Airways isn't simply switching terminals for kicks, they're committing to the Windy City with the launch of a third daily service to London. Neil Chernoff, British Airways Chief Planning and Strategy Officer, emphasized this deepening relationship, stating, "Having connected Chicago to Britain for 70 years, our commitment to the city remains stronger than ever. The introduction of our third daily service to London, and our move to Terminal 3 alongside our Atlantic Joint Business partners, underscores our commitment to providing unparalleled service and convenience to our valued customers in Chicago."

For the jet-setters with access, this maneuver unlocks the swanky confines of the American Airlines Flagship® Lounge and Admirals Club® lounges. The shuffle positions British Airways snugly among other Oneworld alliance carriers that cater to a sprawling network, with over 900 destinations worldwide. American's ORD honcho Ben Humphrey welcomed their "long-standing Atlantic Joint Business partner" to Terminal 3, underscoring that, "This strategic move will help us deliver a more seamless travel experience for our customers nationwide who are connecting through ORD to London and beyond.”

As British Airways commands a new gate at O'Hare, the airport itself gets spruced up with a slew of renovations in Terminal 3 set to begin this spring. These upgrades are fueled by a hefty $40 million grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), further bolstering the hub's capacity to offer a smoother and more accessible transit for those on the go. Last year, a $50 million BIL grant was given, which holds the title for being the biggest single handout an American airport has snagged.